Identification of playback device and stereo pair names

ABSTRACT

An example method includes, based on an adjustment to a first displayed volume control, instructing the first playback device to adjust playback volume level; based on an adjustment to a second displayed volume control, instructing the second playback device to adjust playback volume level; after sending the commands, instructing the first and/or second playback device to process an audio stream into a first and/or second channel and to reproduce a respective one of the first and second channel, wherein the grouped first and second playback devices provide multi-channel sound; and based on an adjustment to a third displayed volume control, instructing the first and/or second playback device to adjust a group volume level for both the first and second playback devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/806,070filed on Jul. 22, 2015, and which is currently pending; application Ser.No. 14/806,070 is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/013,740filed on Jan. 25, 2011, and issued on Dec. 1, 2015, as U.S. Pat. No.9,202,509; application. Ser. No. 13/013,740 is a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 11/853,790 filed on Sep. 11, 2007 and issued onJul. 9, 2013, as U.S. Pat. No. 8,483,853; and application Ser. No.11/853,790 claims priority to Provisional App. No. 60/825,407 filed onSep. 12, 2006. The entire contents of the Ser. Nos. 14/806,070;13/013,740; 11/853,790; and 60/825,407 applications are incorporatedherein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention is generally related to the area of consumer electronicsand human-computer interaction. In particular, the invention is relatedto method and apparatus for controlling or manipulating a plurality ofmultimedia players in a multi-zone system.

An enduring passion for quality audio reproduction or system iscontinuing to drive demands from users. One of the demands includes anaudio system in a house in which, for example, one could grill toclassic rock on a patio while another one may cook up his/her own musicselections in a kitchen. This is all at the same time while a teenagercatches a ballgame in a family room, and another one blasts pop in abedroom. And the best part of such audio system is that each familymember does not need his or her own stereo system—one system giveseveryone access to all the music sources.

Currently, one of the systems that can meet part of such demand is aconventional multi-zone audio system that usually includes a number ofaudio players. Each of the audio players has its own amplifier(s) and aset of speakers and typically installed in one place (e.g., a room). Inorder to play an audio source at one location, the audio source must beprovided locally or from a centralized location. When the audio sourceis provided locally, the multi-zone audio system functions as acollection of many stereo systems, making source sharing difficult. Whenthe audio source is provided centrally, the centralized location mayinclude a juke box, many compact discs, an AM or FM radio, tapes, orothers. To send an audio source to an audio player demanding suchsource, a cross-bar type of device is used to prevent the audio sourcefrom going to other audio players that may be playing other audiosources.

In order to achieve playing different audio sources in different audioplayers, the traditional multi-zone audio system is generally eitherhard-wired or controlled by a pre-configured and pre-programmedcontroller. While the pre-programmed configuration may be satisfactoryin one situation, it may not be suitable for another situation. Forexample, a person would like to listen to broadcast news from his/herfavorite radio station in a bedroom, a bathroom and a den whilepreparing to go to work in the morning. The same person may wish tolisten in the den and the living room to music from a compact disc inthe evening. In order to satisfy such requirements, two groups of audioplayers must be established. In the morning, the audio players in thebedroom, the bathroom and the den need to be grouped for the broadcastnews. In the evening, the audio players in the den and the living roomare grouped for the music. Over the weekend, the audio players in theden, the living room, and a kitchen are grouped for party music. Becausethe morning group, the evening group and the weekend group contain theden, it can be difficult for the traditional system to accommodate therequirement of dynamically managing the ad hoc creation and deletion ofgroups.

There is a need for dynamic control of the audio players as a group.With a minimum manipulation, the audio players may be readily grouped.In a traditional multi-zone audio system, the audio players have to beadjusted one at a time, resulting in an inconvenient and non-homogenousaudio environment. When the audio players are grouped, there is a needto individually or systematically adjust the sound (e.g., volume) of theaudio players. In a situation in which two or more audio players areseparately in one environment, there is a need to reconfigure theseaudio players dynamically to create a more pleasant listeningenvironment to increase the maximum capable sound output (e.g., a soundpressure level).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This section is for the purpose of summarizing some aspects of thepresent invention and to briefly introduce some preferred embodiments.Simplifications or omissions in this section as well as in the abstractor the title of this description may be made to avoid obscuring thepurpose of this section, the abstract and the title. Suchsimplifications or omissions are not intended to limit the scope of thepresent invention.

In general, the present invention pertains to controlling a plurality ofmultimedia players, or simply players, in groups. According to oneaspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided to allow a userto group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where eachof the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, theplayers in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, theplayers in the scene are all caused to play an audio source or music ina playlist, wherein the audio source may be located anywhere on anetwork.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the scene may beactivated at any time or a specific time. A user may activate the sceneat any time so that only some selected zones in an entertainment systemfacilitate a playback of an audio source. When the scene is activated ata specific time, the scene may be used as an alarm or buzzer.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, acontrolling device (also referred to herein as controller) is providedto facilitate a user to select any of the players in the system to formrespective groups each of which is set up per a scene. Although variousscenes may be saved in any of the members in a group, commands arepreferably sent from the controller to the rest of the members when oneof the scenes is executed. Depending on implementation, the commandsinclude parameters pertaining to identifiers of the players, volumessettings, audio source and etc.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, aconfigurable module is implemented in the controlling device thatprovides interactive graphic user interface for forming, managing andcontrolling groups in the system, de-grouping a group or adjusting audiovolume of individual players or a group of players.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, individualplayers may be paired or grouped to stimulate a multi-channel listeningenvironment. In instead of grouping selected players to play back anaudio item, a user is allowed to activate one of the players to processthe data of the audio item, essentially separating the data intoindividual streams, each of the streams representing a single-soundtrack and being played back in one of the players, thus creating amulti-channel listening environment with the selected players.

The present invention may be implemented in many forms includingsoftware, hardware or a combination of both. According to oneembodiment, the present invention is a method for simulating amulti-channel listening environment, the method comprises: grouping aset of players to simulate the multi-channel listening environment, theplayers capable of communicating over a data network; designating whichof the players to reproduce which one of audio channels in a titleselected on a controller with a display screen; causing to process datarepresenting the selected title into streams, each of the streamsrepresenting one of audio channels; causing to distribute the streamsrespectively to the players; and causing the players to play back thestreams in synchronization.

According to another embodiment, the present invention is directed to asystem for a stereo listening environment, the system comprises: aplurality of players, at least a first one and a second one of theplayers located in one place; and a controller providing a mechanism toallow a user to select the first and second players to be paired tosimulate the stereo listening environment, the first player beingconfigured to process data for a selected title into two streamsrespectively for left and right sound channels, wherein the controllerprovides a user interface to allow the user to determine which one ofthe first and second players to reproduce the left sound channel or theright sound channel, the controller is further configured to display aplaylist from which the title is selected.

According to still another embodiment, the present invention is anapparatus for a stereo listening environment. The apparatus may be asmart phone with a display screen. The apparatus comprises a networkinterface to facilitate the apparatus to communicate with the Internet;a phone networking interface to facilitate the apparatus to communicatewith a cell phone network provided by a service provider; a userinterface to enable the network interface and the phone networkinginterface; a display screen to allow a user to control a plurality ofaudio players being coupled to an ad-hoc network, select first andsecond audio players to be paired to simulate a stereo listeningenvironment, both of the first and second audio players being configuredto process a data stream for a selected title into two streamsrespectively for left and right sound channels, wherein the userdetermines which one of the first and second audio players to reproducethe left sound channel or the right sound channel, and configures todisplay a playlist from which the title is selected to be played in thestereo listening environment.

One of the objects, features, and advantages of the present invention isto stimulate a multi-channel listening environment. Other objects,features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparentupon examining the following detailed description of an embodimentthereof, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary configuration in which the present inventionmay be practiced;

FIG. 2A shows an exemplary functional block diagram of a player inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2B shows an example of a controller that may be used to remotelycontrol one of more players of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C shows an example of a controller that may be used to remotelycontrol one of more players of FIG. 2A

FIG. 2D shows an exemplary internal functional block diagram of acontroller in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A provides an illustration of one zone scene, where the leftcolumn shows the starting zone grouping—all zones are separate, thecolumn on the right shows the effects of grouping the zones to make agroup of 3 zones named after “Morning”;

FIG. 3B shows that a user defines multiple groups to be gathered at thesame time;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary user interface that may be displayed on acontroller or a computer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A shows a user interface to allow a user to form a scene;

FIG. 5B shows another user interface 520 to allow a user to form ascene;

FIG. 5C shows a user interface to allow a user to adjust a volume levelof the zone players in a zone scene individually or collectively;

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart or process of providing a player theme or azone scene for a plurality of players, where one or more of the playersare placed in a zone;

FIG. 7 shows a configuration in which an audio source is played back ontwo players and, according to one embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart or process of grouping a plurality of audioproducts to play separated sound tracks in synchronization to simulate amulti-channel listening environment.

FIGS. 9A-9F show example user interfaces for stereo pair configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The detailed description of the invention is presented largely in termsof procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolicrepresentations that directly or indirectly resemble the operations ofdata processing devices coupled to networks. These process descriptionsand representations are typically used by those skilled in the art tomost effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will becomeobvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may bepracticed without these specific details. In other instances, well knownmethods, procedures, components, and circuitry have not been describedin detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the presentinvention.

Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of theinvention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutuallyexclusive of other embodiments. Further, the order of blocks in processflowcharts or diagrams representing one or more embodiments of theinvention do not inherently indicate any particular order nor imply anylimitations in the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to likeparts throughout the several views. FIG. 1 shows an exemplaryconfiguration 100 in which the present invention may be practiced. Theconfiguration may represent, but not be limited to, a part of aresidential home, a business building or a complex with multiple zones.There are a number of multimedia players of which three examples 102,104 and 106 are shown as audio devices. Each of the audio devices may beinstalled or provided in one particular area or zone and hence referredto as a zone player herein.

As used herein, unless explicitly stated otherwise, an audio source oraudio sources are in digital format and can be transported or streamedover a data network. To facilitate the understanding of the presentinvention, it is assumed that the configuration 100 represents a home.Thus, the zone player 102 and 104 may be located in one or two of thebedrooms while the zone player 106 may be installed in a living room.All of the zone players 102, 104 and 106 are coupled directly orindirectly to a data network 108. In addition, a computing device 110 isshown to be coupled on the network 108. In reality, any other devicessuch as a home gateway device, a storage device, or an MP3 player may becoupled to the network 108 as well.

The network 108 may be a wired network, a wireless network or acombination of both. In one example, all devices including the zoneplayers 102, 104 and 106 are coupled to the network 108 by wirelessmeans based on an industry standard such as IEEE 802.11. In yet anotherexample, all devices including the zone players 102, 104 and 106 arepart of a local area network that communicates with a wide area network(e.g., the Internet). In still another example, all devices includingthe zone players 102, 104 and 106 and a controller 412 forms an ad-hocnetwork and may be specifically named, e.g., a household identifier:Smith Family, to be differentiated from a similar neighboring setup witha household identifier, e.g., Kallai Family.

Many devices on the network 108 are configured to download and storeaudio sources. For example, the computing device 110 can download audiosources from the Internet and store the downloaded sources locally forsharing with other devices on the Internet or the network 108. Thecomputing device 110 or any of the zone players can also be configuredto receive streaming audio. Shown as a stereo system, the device 112 isconfigured to receive an analog audio source (e.g., from broadcasting)or retrieve a digital audio source (e.g., from a compact disk). Theanalog audio sources can be converted to digital audio sources. Inaccordance with the present invention, the audio source may be sharedamong the devices on the network 108.

Two or more zone players may be grouped together to form a new zonegroup. Any combinations of zone players and an existing zone group maybe grouped together. In one instance, a new zone group is formed byadding one zone player to another zone player or an existing zone group.In one application, there are two zone players in one environment (e.g.,a living room in a house). In one embodiment, instead of grouping thesetwo zone players to play back the same audio source, one can configurethese two zone players to play two separate sounds in left and rightchannels. In other words, the stereo effects of a sound are reproducedthrough these two zone players, one for the left sound and the other forthe right sound. Likewise, for a 3-channel (or 2.1 sound effects) sound,three such zone players may be reconfigured as if there are threespeakers: left and right speakers and a subwoofer to form a stereosound. The details of the reconfiguring the zone players and operatingthese audio products will be described below. Similar configurationswith multiple channels (greater than 3) also apply.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, there is shown an exemplary functional blockdiagram of a zone player 200 in accordance with the present invention.The zone player 200 includes a network interface 202, a processor 204, amemory 206, an audio processing circuit 210, a module 212, andoptionally, an audio amplifier 214 that may be internal or external. Thenetwork interface 202 facilitates a data flow between a data network(i.e., the data network 108 of FIG. 1) and the zone player 200 andtypically executes a special set of rules (i.e., a protocol) to senddata back and forth. One of the common protocols used in the Internet isTCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). In general, anetwork interface manages the assembling of an audio source or file intosmaller packets that are to be transmitted over the data network orreassembles received packets into the original source or file. Inaddition, the network interface 202 handles the address part of eachpacket so that it gets to the right destination or intercepts packetsdestined for the zone player 200. Accordingly, each of the packetsincludes an IP-based source address as well as an IP-based destinationaddress.

The network interface 202 may include one or both of a wirelessinterface 216 and a wired interface 217. The wireless interface 216,also referred to as a RF interface, provides network interface functionsby a wireless means for the zone player 200 to communicate with otherdevices in accordance with a communication protocol (such as thewireless standard IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.15.1).The wired interface 217 provides network interface functions by a wiredmeans (e.g., an Ethernet cable). In one embodiment, a zone playerincludes both of the interfaces 216 and 217, and other zone playersinclude only a RF or wired interface. Thus these other zone playerscommunicate with other devices on a network or retrieve audio sourcesvia the zone player. The processor 204 is configured to control theoperation of other parts in the zone player 200. The memory 206 may beloaded with one or more software modules that can be executed by theprocessor 204 to achieve desired tasks. According to one aspect of thepresent invention, a software module implementing one embodiment of thepresent invention is executed, the processor 204 operates in accordancewith the software module in reference to a saved zone groupconfiguration characterizing a zone group created by a user, the zoneplayer 200 is caused to retrieve an audio source from another zoneplayer or a device on the network and synchronize the players in thezone group to play back the audio source as desired.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the memory 206 isused to save one or more saved zone configuration files that may beretrieved for modification at any time. Typically, a saved zone groupconfiguration file is transmitted to a controller (e.g., the controllingdevice 140 or 142 of FIG. 1, a computer, a portable device, or a TV)when a user operates the controlling device. The zone groupconfiguration provides an interactive user interface so that variousmanipulations or control of the zone players may be performed.

The audio processing circuit 210 resembles most of the circuitry in anaudio playback device and includes one or more digital-to-analogconverters (DAC), an audio preprocessing part, an audio enhancement partor a digital signal processor and others. In operation, when an audiosource is retrieved via the network interface 202, the audio source isprocessed in the audio processing circuit 210 to produce analog audiosignals. The processed analog audio signals are then provided to theaudio amplifier 214 for playback on speakers. In addition, the audioprocessing circuit 210 may include necessary circuitry to process analogsignals as inputs to produce digital signals for sharing with otherdevices on a network.

Depending on an exact implementation, the module 212 may be implementedas a combination of hardware and software. In one embodiment, the module212 is used to save a scene. The audio amplifier 214 is typically ananalog circuit that powers the provided analog audio signals to driveone or more speakers.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, there is shown an exemplary controller 240,which may correspond to the controlling device 140 or 142 of FIG. 1. Thecontroller 240 may be used to facilitate the control of multi-mediaapplications, automation and others in a complex. In particular, thecontroller 240 is configured to facilitate a selection of a plurality ofaudio sources available on the network, controlling operations of one ormore zone players (e.g., the zone player 200) through a RF interfacecorresponding to the RF interface 216 of FIG. 2A. According to oneembodiment, the wireless means is based on an industry standard (e.g.,infrared, radio, wireless standard IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b 802.11g,802.11n, or 802.15.1). When a particular audio source is being played inthe zone player 200, a picture, if there is any, associated with theaudio source may be transmitted from the zone player 200 to thecontroller 240 for display. In one embodiment, the controller 240 isused to synchronize more than one zone players by grouping the zoneplayers in a group. In another embodiment, the controller 240 is used tocontrol the volume of each of the zone players in a zone groupindividually or together.

The user interface for the controller 240 includes a screen 242 (e.g., aLCD screen) and a set of functional buttons as follows: a “zones” button244, a “back” button 246, a “music” button 248, a scroll wheel 250, “ok”button 252, a set of transport control buttons 254, a mute button 262, avolume up/down button 264, a set of soft buttons 266 corresponding tothe labels 268 displayed on the screen 242.

The screen 242 displays various screen menus in response to a user'sselection. In one embodiment, the “zones” button 244 activates a zonemanagement screen or “Zone Menu”, which is described in more detailsbelow. The “back” button 246 may lead to different actions depending onthe current screen. In one embodiment, the “back” button triggers thecurrent screen display to go back to a previous one. In anotherembodiment, the ‘back” button negates the user's erroneous selection.The “music” button 248 activates a music menu, which allows theselection of an audio source (e.g., a song) to be added to a zoneplayer's music queue for playback.

The scroll wheel 250 is used for selecting an item within a list,whenever a list is presented on the screen 242. When the items in thelist are too many to be accommodated in one screen display, a scrollindicator such as a scroll bar or a scroll arrow is displayed beside thelist. When the scroll indicator is displayed, a user may rotate thescroll wheel 250 to either choose a displayed item or display a hiddenitem in the list. The “ok” button 252 is used to confirm the userselection on the screen 242.

There are three transport buttons 254, which are used to control theeffect of the currently playing song. For example, the functions of thetransport buttons may include play/pause and forward/rewind a song, moveforward to a next song track, or move backward to a previous track.According to one embodiment, pressing one of the volume control buttonssuch as the mute button 262 or the volume up/down button 264 activates avolume panel. In addition, there are three soft buttons 266 that can beactivated in accordance with the labels 268 on the screen 242. It can beunderstood that, in a multi-zone system, there may be multiple audiosources being played respectively in more than one zone players. Themusic transport functions described herein shall apply selectively toone of the sources when a corresponding one of the zone players or zonegroups is selected.

FIG. 2C shows an exemplary controller 260 which may correspond to thecontrolling device 140 or 142 of FIG. 1. The controller 260 is providedwith a touch screen that allows a user to interact with the controller,for example, to navigate a playlist of many items, to control operationsof one or more players. In one embodiment as it will be further shown inFIG. 9s , a user may interact with the controller to make a stereo pairand separate a stereo pair. It should be noted that othernetwork-enabled portable devices such as iPhone, iPad or a smart phonemay be used as a controller to interact or control multiple zone playersin an environment. According on one embodiment, an application may bedownloaded into a network enabled device. Such an application mayimplement most of the functions discussed above for the controller 240using a navigating mechanism or touch screen in the device. Thoseskilled in the art shall know a possible modification of such anapplication when porting it to a new type of portable device given thedetailed description herein.

FIG. 2D illustrates an internal functional block diagram of an exemplarycontroller 270, which may correspond to the controller 240 of FIG. 2B, acomputing device or a smart phone. The screen 272 on the controller 270may be a LCD screen. The screen 272 communicates with and is commandedby a screen driver 274 that is controlled by a microcontroller (e.g., aprocessor) 276. The memory 282 may be loaded with one or moreapplication modules 284 that can be executed by the microcontroller 276with or without a user input via the user interface 278 to achievedesired tasks. In one embodiment, an application module is configured tofacilitate grouping a number of selected zone players into a zone groupand synchronizing the zone players for one audio source. In anotherembodiment, an application module is configured to control together theaudio sounds (e.g., volume) of the zone players in a zone group. Inoperation, when the microcontroller 276 executes one or more of theapplication modules 284, the screen driver 274 generates control signalsto drive the screen 272 to display an application specific userinterface accordingly, more of which will be described below.

The controller 270 includes a network interface 280 referred to as a RFinterface 280 that facilitates wireless communication with a zone playervia a corresponding RF interface thereof. In one embodiment, thecommands such as volume control and audio playback synchronization aresent via the RF interfaces. In another embodiment, a saved zone groupconfiguration is transmitted between a zone player and a controller viathe RF interfaces. The controller 270 may control one or more zoneplayers, such as 102, 104 and 106 of FIG. 1. Nevertheless, there may bemore than one controllers, each preferably in a zone (e.g., a room) andconfigured to control any one and all of the zone players.

In one embodiment, a user creates a zone group including at least twozone players from the controller 240 that sends signals or data to oneof the zone players. As all the zone players are coupled on a network,the received signals in one zone player can cause other zone players inthe group to be synchronized so that all the zone players in the groupplayback an identical audio source or a list of identical audio sourcesin a timely synchronized manner such that no audible delays or hiccupscould be heard. Similarly, when a user increases the audio volume of thegroup from the controller, the signals or data of increasing the audiovolume for the group are sent to one of the zone players and causesother zone players in the group to be increased together in volume andin scale.

According to one implementation, an application module is loaded inmemory 282 for zone group management. When a predetermined key (e.g. the“zones” button 244) is activated on the controller 240, the applicationmodule is executed in the microcontroller 276. The input interface 278coupled to and controlled by the microcontroller 276 receives inputsfrom a user. A “Zone Menu” is then displayed on the screen 272. The usermay start grouping zone players into a zone group by activating a “LinkZones” or “Add Zone” soft button, or de-grouping a zone group byactivating an “Unlink Zones” or “Drop Zone” button. The detail of thezone group manipulation will be further discussed below.

As described above, the input interface 278 includes a number offunction buttons as well as a screen graphical user interface. It shouldbe pointed out that the controller 240 in FIG. 2B is not the onlycontrolling device that may practice the present invention. Otherdevices that provide the equivalent control functions (e.g., a computingdevice, a hand-held device) may also be configured to practice thepresent invention. In the above description, unless otherwisespecifically described, it is clear that keys or buttons are generallyreferred to as either the physical buttons or soft buttons, enabling auser to enter a command or data.

One mechanism for ‘joining’ zone players together for music playback isto link a number of zone players together to form a group. To link anumber of zone players together, a user may manually link each zoneplayer or room one after the other. For example, there is a multi-zonesystem that includes the following zones.

Bathroom

Bedroom

Den

Dining Room

Family Room

Foyer

If the user wishes to link 5 of the 6 zone players using the currentmechanism, he/she must start with a single zone and then manually linkeach zone to that zone. This mechanism may be sometimes quite timeconsuming. According to one embodiment, a set of zones can bedynamically linked together using one command. Using what is referred toherein as a theme or a zone scene, zones can be configured in aparticular scene (e.g., morning, afternoon, or garden), where apredefined zone grouping and setting of attributes for the grouping areautomatically effectuated.

For instance, a “Morning” zone scene/configuration command would linkthe Bedroom, Den and Dining Room together in one action. Without thissingle command, the user would need to manually and individually linkeach zone. FIG. 3A provides an illustration of one zone scene, where theleft column shows the starting zone grouping—all zones are separate, thecolumn on the right shows the effects of grouping the zones to make agroup of 3 zones named after “Morning”.

Expanding this idea further, a Zone Scene can be set to create multiplesets of linked zones. For example, a scene creates 3 separate groups ofzones, the downstairs zones would be linked together, the upstairs zoneswould be linked together in their own group, and the outside zones (inthis case the patio) would move into a group of its own.

In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 3B, a user defines multiple groups tobe gathered at the same time. For example: an “Evening Scene” is desiredto link the following zones:

-   -   Group 1    -   Bedroom    -   Den    -   Dining Room    -   Group 2    -   Garage    -   Garden        where Bathroom, Family Room and Foyer should be separated from        any group if they were part of a group before the Zone Scene was        invoked.

One important of the features, benefits and objects in the presentinvention is that that zones do not need to be separated before a zonescene is invoked. In one embodiment, a command is provided and links allzones in one step, if invoked. The command is in a form of a zone scene.After linking the appropriate zones, a zone scene command could applythe following attributes:

Set volumes levels in each zones (each zone can have a different volume)

Mute/Unmute zones.

Select and play specific music in the zones.

Set the play mode of the music (Shuffle, Repeat, Shuffle-repeat)

Set the music playback equalization of each zone (e.g., bass treble).

A further extension of this embodiment is to trigger a zone scenecommand as an alarm clock function. For instance the zone scene is setto apply at 8:00 am. It could link appropriate zones automatically, setspecific music to play and then stop the music after a defined duration.Although a single zone may be assigned to an alarm, a scene set as analarm clock provides a synchronized alarm, allowing any zones linked inthe scene to play a predefined audio (e.g., a favorable song, apredefined playlist) at a specific time or for a specific duration. If,for any reason, the scheduled music failed to be played (e.g., an emptyplaylist, no connection to a share, failed UPnP, no Internet connectionfor an Internet Radio station), a backup buzzer will sound. This buzzerwill be a sound file that is stored in a zone player.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary user interface 400 that may be displayed on acontroller 142 or a computer 110 of FIG. 1. The interface 400 shows alist of items that may be set up by a user to cause a scene to functionat a specific time. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the list of itemsincludes “Alarm”, “Time”, “Zone”, “Music”, “Frequency” and “Alarmlength”. “Alarm” can be set on or off. When “Alarm” is set on, “Time” isa specific time to set off the alarm. “Zone” shows which zone playersare being set to play a specified audio at the specific time. “Music”shows what to be played when the specific time arrives. “Frequency”allows the user to define a frequency of the alarm. “Alarm length”defines how long the audio is to be played. It should be noted that theuser interface 400 is provided herein to show some of the functionsassociated with setting up an alarm. Depending on an exactimplementation, other functions, such as time zone, daylight savings,time synchronization, and time/date format for display may also beprovided without departing from the present invention.

According to one embodiment, each zone player in a scene may be set upfor different alarms. For example, a “Morning” scene includes three zoneplayers, each in a bedroom, a den, and a dining room. After selectingthe scene, the user may set up an alarm for the scene as whole. As aresult, each of the zone players will be activated at a specific time.

FIG. 5A shows a user interface 500 to allow a user to form a scene. Thepanel on the left shows the available zones in a household. The panel onthe right shows the zones that have been selected and be grouped as partof this scene. Depending on an exact implementation of a user interface,Add/Remove buttons may be provided to move zones between the panels, orzones may be dragged along between panels.

FIG. 5B shows another user interface 520 to allow a user to form ascene. The user interface 520 that may be displayed on a controller or acomputing device, lists available zones in a system. A checkbox isprovided next to each of the zones so that a user may check in the zonesto be associated with the scene.

FIG. 5C shows a user interface 510 to allow a user to adjust a volumelevel of the zone players in a zone scene individually or collectively.As shown in the user interface 510, the ‘Volumes . . . ’ button (shownas sliders, other forms are possible) allows the user to affect thevolumes of the associated zone players when a zone scene is invoked. Inone embodiment, the zone players can be set to retain whatever volumethat they currently have when the scene is invoked. Additionally theuser can decide if the volumes should be unmuted or muted when the sceneis invoked.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart or process 600 of providing a player theme or azone scene for a plurality of players, where one or more of the playersare placed in a zone. The process 600 is presented in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention and may be implemented in amodule to be located in the memory 282 of FIG. 2C.

The process 600 is initiated only when a user decides to proceed with azone scene at 602. The process 600 then moves to 604 where it allows auser to decide which zone players to be associated with the scene. Forexample, there are ten players in a household, and the scene is namedafter “Morning”. The user may be given an interface to select four ofthe ten players to be associated with the scene. At 606, the scene issaved. The scene may be saved in any one of the members in the scene. Inthe example of FIG. 1, the scene is saved in one of the zone players anddisplayed on the controller 142. In operation, a set of data pertainingto the scene includes a plurality of parameters. In one embodiment, theparameters include, but may not be limited to, identifiers (e.g., IPaddress) of the associated players and a playlist. The parameters mayalso include volume/tone settings for the associated players in thescene. The user may go back to 602 to configure another scene ifdesired.

Given a saved scene, a user may activate the scene at any time or set upa timer to activate the scene at 610. The process 600 can continue whena saved scene is activated at 610. At 612, upon the activation of asaved scene, the process 600 checks the status of the players associatedwith the scene. The status of the players means that each of the playersshall be in condition to react in a synchronized manner. In oneembodiment, the interconnections of the players are checked to make surethat the players communicate among themselves and/or with a controllerif there is such a controller in the scene.

It is assumed that all players associated with the scene are in goodcondition. At 614, commands are executed with the parameters (e.g.,pertaining to a playlist and volumes). In one embodiment, data includingthe parameters is transported from a member (e.g., a controller) toother members in the scene so that the players are caused to synchronizean operation configured in the scene. The operation may cause allplayers to play back a song in identical or different volumes or to playback a pre-stored file.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration in which an audio source is played back ontwo players 702 and 704, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. These two players 702 and 704 may be located in one place(e.g., a hall or a room) and are designated to play two sound tracksrespectively. For example, an audio source has left and right soundchannels or tracks, a typical stereo sound. Instead of grouping theplayers 702 and 704 to play back the audio source together, a user cangroup or pair the players 702 and 704 (e.g., through a designatedinterface) and cause the players 702 and 704 to play the two soundtracks respectively. As a result, the stereo sound effects can besimulated.

In operation, a controller 706 (e.g., a controller 142 of FIG. 1 or 240of FIG. 2B or a portable device) is used to initiate the operation.Through a proper user interface, the controller 706 causes a player 702to retrieve the audio source, provided the audio source is on a network708 (e.g., the Internet or a local area network). Similarly, thecontroller 706 may also cause a designated device (e.g., anothernetworked device) to establish a communication session with the player702 to deliver the requested audio source. In any case, either one orboth of the players 702 and 704 shall have an access to the datarepresenting the audio source.

An appropriate module in the player 702 is activated to process thedata. According to one embodiment, the right and left sound tracks areseparated. One sound track is retained locally in one player and theother sound track is pushed or uploaded to the other device (e.g., viaan ad-hoc network). When the right and left sound tracks are played backsimultaneously, the stereo sound effect can be appreciated.

To avoid a time delay in delivering a single sound track to the otherdevice, the time delay may be measured. According to another embodiment,a test message may be initiated from one device to another that is alsoactivated to send back an acknowledgement. Upon receiving theacknowledgement, the time delay in transporting data from one device toanother can be measured. The time delay will be considered whensynchronizing the two players to play back the two separated soundtracks. In one embodiment, the locally retained sound track data isdelayed to start with a latency determined by the time delay. Dependingon implementation, such a time delay may be measured from time to timeto ensure that the two sound tracks are simultaneously played back.Details of synchronizing operations of two or more players are providedin commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 10/816,217, filed Apr. 1,2004, entitled “System and Method For Synchronizing Operations Among APlurality Of Independently Clocked Digital Data Processing Devices”which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart or process 800 of grouping a plurality of audioproducts to play separated sound tracks in synchronization to simulate amulti-channel listening environment. The process 800 is presented inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention and may beimplemented in a module to be located in the memory 282 of FIG. 2C. Tofacilitate the description of the present invention, a listeningenvironment of stereo sound with left and right channels is described.Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the description can beequally applied to other forms of multi-channel listening environment.

Typically, there is a plurality of players being controlled by one ormore controllers, where these players are disposed in various locations.For example, there are five players in a house, three of them arerespectively disposed in three rooms while two players are disposed in alarger room. Accordingly, these two players would be candidates to bepaired to simulate a stereo listening environment. In another example,there are four players in a large space, two pairs of the players may bepaired to simulate a stereo listening environment, in which two playersin one pair can be grouped to play back one (left) sound track and theother two in the other pair can be grouped to play back one (right)sound track.

In any case, two groups of players or two players are decided to bepaired at 802. If no players are paired, the process 800 will not beactivated. It is assumed that two players from a group of players beingcontrolled by a controller are selected to be paired at 802. The process800 proceeds.

At 804, a user needs to decide which player is to play back which soundtrack. Depending on the location of the user or listener(s) with respectto the selected players, it is assumed that a player or unit A is chosento play back a left sound track and another player or unit B is chosento play back a right sound track.

Accordingly to one embodiment, a time delay in transporting data betweenthe two units A and B is measured at 806. This time delay may facilitatesound synchronization between the two units as one of the units willreceive a processed sound track from the other. The user may continue tooperate on a controller to select a title (e.g., an audio source or anitem from a playlist) for playback on the two units at 810.

Once the title is determined at 812, the data for the title needs to beaccessed. Depending on where the data is located, the controller may beconfigured to cause one of the two units to obtain or stream in thedata. In one embodiment, the controller or unit A initiates a request toa remotely-networked device storing the data. Assuming an authenticationprocedure, if any, completes successfully, the remote device starts toupload the data to the unit A. Likewise, if the data is locally storedin the unit A, the data can be accessed locally without requesting thesame from the network. As the data is being received or accessed in theunit A, a processing module is activated in the unit A to process thedata, essentially separating the data into two streams of sound tracksat 814.

At 816, one of the streams is uploaded from the unit A to unit B via alocal network (e.g., the ad-hoc network formed by all the players beingcontrolled by the controller). As the streams are being distributed, thetwo units are configured to play back the streams respectively, eachreproducing the sound of a single sound track at 818. Together, the twounits create a stereo sound listening environment.

It should be noted that the delay time, if noticeable, may beincorporated into the unit A to delay the consumption of the stream bythe delay time to synchronize with the unit B. Alternatively, anon-selected player may be used to process a streaming data of the titleand configured to supply two streams to the pair of players, thusequalizing the delay time that would be otherwise experienced by theunit B.

To further under the operations of making a stereo pair, FIGS. 9A-9F areprovided according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.9A-9F are snapshots from a computing device (e.g., a laptop) used as acontroller. Those skilled in the art can appreciate that FIGS. 9A-9F maybe readily modified to be used in a portable device with networkcapability, such as iPhone or iTouch or other smart phones.

FIG. 9A shows a graphic interface 900 that is caused to be displayedwhen a user desires to make a stereo pair with two players in a system,where there are more than two players in the system. Once the interface900 is displayed, a list of the players in the system may be displayed(not shown), from which the user selects two or more players to make thestereo pair. It is assumed that the user has chosen two playersrespectively named as “ZPS5-Black” and “S5” to the stereo pair as shownin FIG. 9B. FIG. 9C shows an exemplary display 930 to allow the user tochoose another play to be paired with the “ZPS5-Black” player.

As the stereo pair is playing back various audio items, the user isprovided with an option to control either one or both of the soundchannels. FIG. 9D shows a display 930 that one of the two channels isbeing muted. FIG. 9E shows a display 940 that reminds the user of whatname the stereo pair is named after. In one embodiment and as shown inFIG. 3A or 3B, a graphic display is provided to show to the user all theplayers in a system and how they are grouped or named. A nickname forthe stereo pair in the display 940 is highlighted and would be in FIG.3A if FIG. 3A is modified after the stereo pair is done, provided thetwo players are in one place so that the stereo sound effect can beexperienced. FIG. 9F provides an interface to allow the user to separatethe stereo pair when needed.

The present invention has been described in sufficient detail with acertain degree of particularity. It is understood to those skilled inthe art that the present disclosure of embodiments has been made by wayof examples only and that numerous changes in the arrangement andcombination of parts may be resorted without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as claimed. While the embodiments discussedherein may appear to include some limitations as to the presentation ofthe information units, in terms of the format and arrangement, theinvention has applicability well beyond such embodiment, which can beappreciated by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of thepresent invention is defined by the appended claims rather than theforgoing description of embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: one or more processors; tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory comprising program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the system to: store a first name for identification of a first playback device and a second name for identification of a second playback device; cause display of the first name and the second name for identification of the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively; after storing the first name and the second name, configure a stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device, wherein while in the stereo pair the first playback device is configured for play back according to a stereo sound effect with a second playback device; and while the stereo pair is configured, cause display of a nickname for identification of first playback device and the second playback device.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the system to: separate the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device; and after separating the stereo pair, again provide the first name and the second name for identification of the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein causing display of the first name and the second name for identification of the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively, comprises causing, via a controller, a graphical display to display the first name and the second name.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein causing display of the nickname for identification of first playback device and the second playback device comprises causing, via a controller, a graphical display to display the nickname.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein causing display of the first name and the second name for identification of the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively, comprises sending, via the first playback device to a controller over a data network, the first name and the second name.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein causing display of the first name and the second name for identification of the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively, comprises sending, via the first playback device to a third playback device over a data network, the first name and the second name.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the nickname is the same as the first name.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first name, the second name, and the nickname are different.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein configuring the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device comprises configuring the first playback device to: process audio data into at least one of first audio channel data and second audio channel data; and play back one or the other of the first audio channel data and the second audio channel data.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first audio channel data comprises a left audio channel and the second audio channel data comprises a right audio channel.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein configuring the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device comprises configuring the first playback device to: process audio data into at least one of first audio channel data and second audio channel data; play back the first audio channel data; and send the second audio channel data to the second playback device.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein configuring the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device comprises configuring the first playback device to: process audio data into at least one of first audio channel data and second audio channel data; play back the first audio channel data; and send the audio data to the second playback device.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system to: separate the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device; and while the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device is separated, do not provide the nickname for identification of first playback device and the second playback device.
 14. Tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media comprising program instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, causes a system to perform a method comprising: storing a first name for identification of a first playback device and a second name for identification of a second playback device; causing display of the first name and the second name for identification of the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively; after storing the first name and the second name, configuring a stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device, wherein while in the stereo pair the first playback device is configured for play back according to a stereo sound effect with a second playback device; while the stereo pair is configured, causing display of a nickname for identification of first playback device and the second playback device.
 15. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises: separating the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device; and after separating the stereo pair, again providing the first name and the second name for identification of the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively.
 16. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, wherein causing display of the first name and the second name for identification of the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively, comprises causing, via a controller, a graphical display to display the first name and the second name.
 17. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16, wherein causing display of the nickname for identification of first playback device and the second playback device comprises causing, via a controller, a graphical display to display the nickname.
 18. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, wherein causing display of the first name and the second name for identification of the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively, comprises sending, via the first playback device to a controller over a data network, the first name and the second name.
 19. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, wherein causing display of the first name and the second name for identification of the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively, comprises sending, via the first playback device to a third playback device over a data network, the first name and the second name.
 20. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, wherein the nickname is the same as the first name.
 21. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, wherein each of the first name, the second name, and the nickname are different.
 22. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, wherein configuring the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device comprises configuring the first playback device to: process audio data into at least one of first audio channel data and second audio channel data; and play back one or the other of the first audio channel data and the second audio channel data.
 23. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 22, wherein the first audio channel data comprises a left audio channel and the second audio channel data comprises a right audio channel.
 24. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, wherein configuring the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device comprises configuring the first playback device to: process audio data into at least one of first audio channel data and second audio channel data; play back the first audio channel data; and send the second audio channel data to the second playback device.
 25. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, wherein configuring the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device comprises configuring the first playback device to: process audio data into at least one of first audio channel data and second audio channel data; play back the first audio channel data; and send the audio data to the second playback device.
 26. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises: separating the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device; and while the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device is separated, not providing the nickname for identification of first playback device and the second playback device.
 27. A method comprising: storing a first name for identification of a first playback device and a second name for identification of a second playback device; causing display of the first name and the second name for identification of the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively; after storing the first name and the second name, configuring a stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device, wherein while in the stereo pair the first playback device is configured for play-back according to a stereo sound effect with a second playback device; while the stereo pair is configured, causing display of a nickname for identification of first playback device and the second playback device.
 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising: separating the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device; and after separating the stereo pair, again providing the first name and the second name for identification of the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein causing display of the first name and the second name for identification of the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively, comprises causing, via a controller, a graphical display to display the first name and the second name.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein causing display of the nickname for identification of first playback device and the second playback device comprises causing, via a controller, a graphical display to display the nickname.
 31. The method of claim 27, wherein causing display of the first name and the second name for identification of the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively, comprises sending, via the first playback device to a controller over a data network, the first name and the second name.
 32. The method of claim 27, wherein causing display of the first name and the second name for identification of the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively, comprises sending, via the first playback device to a third playback device over a data network, the first name and the second name.
 33. The method of claim 27, wherein the nickname is the same as the first name.
 34. The method of claim 27, wherein each of the first name, the second name, and the nickname are different.
 35. The method of claim 27, wherein configuring the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device comprises configuring the first playback device to: process audio data into at least one of first audio channel data and second audio channel data; and play back one or the other of the first audio channel data and the second audio channel data.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the first audio channel data comprises a left audio channel and the second audio channel data comprises a right audio channel.
 37. The method of claim 27, wherein configuring the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device comprises configuring the first playback device to: process audio data into at least one of first audio channel data and second audio channel data; play back the first audio channel data; and send the second audio channel data to the second playback device.
 38. The method of claim 27, wherein configuring the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device comprises configuring the first playback device to: process audio data into at least one of first audio channel data and second audio channel data; play back the first audio channel data; and send the audio data to the second playback device.
 39. The method of claim 27, further comprising: separating the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device; and while the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device is separated, not providing the nickname for identification of first playback device and the second playback device.
 40. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a controller configured to provide, from the controller to the stereo pair, multi-channel audio content.
 41. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a controller configured to: provide, from the controller to the first playback device, a first channel of audio content; and provide, from the controller to the second playback device, a second channel of the audio content.
 42. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a controller configured to: receive, via the controller, an input to change a volume of the stereo pair; in response to receiving the input, transmit, from the controller to the stereo pair, a message to change the volume of the stereo pair.
 43. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a controller configured to: receive, via the controller, an input to change a volume of the stereo pair; in response to receiving the input: transmit, from the controller to the first playback device, a first message to change the volume of the first playback device; and transmit, from the controller to the second playback device, a second message to change the volume of the second playback device.
 44. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a controller configured to provide, from the controller to the stereo pair, multi-channel audio content; and wherein configuring the stereo pair comprising the first playback device and the second playback device comprises: configuring the first playback device to: (i) process the multi-channel audio content into first audio channel data, and (ii) play back the first audio channel data; and configuring the second playback device to: (i) process the multi-channel audio content into second audio channel data, and (ii) play back the second audio channel data. 